LG Optimus L9 Review

Introduction:

While top Korean manufacturer Samsung has been making waves with its Android lineup both on retail shelves and in court, Korean #2 LG has quietly begun to make a name for itself with its Optimus lineup. With pioneering devices like the Optimus 2X, Optimus 3D and Optimus One, LG has shown that they are not afraid to push the limits of technology. This has of course culminated with LG being picked to design the Nexus 4 (based off of their excellent Optimus G,) but lost in the talk of quad-core processors and high definition displays is the launch of the Optimus L9 on T-Mobile. While it is not top-of the line, it has many great features you’d expect from a premium device such as a 4.5” IPS display and dual-core processor. With the Nexus 4 coming to T-Mobile on contract does the Optimus L9 have a place in the lineup? Read on to find out!

Design:

LG has been finding their design language over the past year, and the L9 builds on the angular, minimalist designs we’ve seen LG put out. The large 4.5” IPS display dominates, but there is also a slim physical home button below. Hidden capacitive back and menu keys flank the home button. The volume rocker and side power button are a bit smaller than we’d prefer and could be easier to find by touch. They don’t offer much travel or tactile feedback, but seem to work well enough.

You can compare the LG Optimus L9 with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.


With tapered edges, a textured, soft-touch back and measuring only 9.1mm thin the Optimus L9 is very comfortable to hold. That battery door is removable, giving access to the 2150mAh battery, SIM card and microSD slot. A quality plastic housing means that the L9 is light, but doesn’t feel cheap. Overall we appreciate the L9’s design, which may not evoke the same response as a premium device like the Optimus G, but does not feel like a budget model in any way.

Display:

The IPS display has a 540x960 qHD resolution, which makes for a respectable 245 ppi density. LG has made a name for themselves with excellent displays recently, and the L9 is no different. While it does not have the highest resolution, the IPS technology makes for very bright and vibrant displays with superb viewing angles. We had no issues using the phone in any lighting condition, and clarity was very good.